Imperial Dade joined over 300 companies in participating in the 2022 Women in the Workplace survey, the largest study on the state of women in corporate America. The research findings by McKinsey & Company and LeanIn.org demonstrate the increasingly complex challenges facing women, and why focusing on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are critical to every organization’s success.
Imperial Dade is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace for women as part of the company’s A Workplace of Belonging ESG pillar. Women make up a large percentage of the company’s leadership team across various departments and locations. Some have been with the organization for decades and others have recently joined the company, in part because of the opportunities for women to advance and enjoy rewarding careers. Many are members of women’s organizations including the Women’s Foodservice Forum, the ISSA Hygieia Network, Women in Network, among others.
I had the opportunity to interview a handful of these outstanding leaders who shared their experiences, insights, and advice.
Irene Ayzenberg-Lyman
- SVP, General Counsel
- North Bergen, NJ
- Years with Imperial Dade: 1.5
Did you have a mentor early on in your career? If yes, how was that impactful in your career development?
A key mentor once said to me, relatively early in my career: “This role requires that you provide practical legal advice on a broad range of issues in a very fast-paced, always changing environment. You are in this role because we trust that you have good judgment and a broad range of experience to be successful and to help the business be successful. That said, we all make mistakes and if (or when) you make a mistake, I want you to know that I have your back.”
That was one of the most impactful things that a senior leader / mentor has ever said to me, and it allowed me to be brave, volunteer to take stretch opportunities early and often in my career, and thus eventually take my career to another level.
Have you ever been “the only” in a business situation? How did that feel?
When I graduated law school, my graduating class was majority women. The more senior I became, the less women stuck around—that is especially true in the leadership ranks of the legal profession. So, I found myself to be the only woman in the room more often than not. I am grateful, however, that Imperial Dade promotes diversity and inclusion, and I am surrounded by other strong female and diverse leaders across the organization.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced professionally and what did you learn from that experience?
When I first became an in-house attorney, I came from a litigation background and therefore never really negotiated or drafted a contract in my life… and yet, I came into a role where, among other things, I was responsible for all commercial contract negotiations for two regions within a business unit at my former company. I learned that, first of all, “I can do hard things.” But also, and most importantly, that it is in moments when you feel most uncomfortable that you learn the most and take the biggest leaps to advance your career.
What advice do you have for women who want to take the next step in their career advancement?
Be comfortable being uncomfortable. If you are not at least a little bit uncomfortable in your current role, it means that you are not learning. And if you are not learning, you are not growing. Take risks—the stretch opportunities. Be brave. You can do hard things.
What more can leaders do to support the women in their organization?
Recognize people in the presence of other leaders in your organization—do not just rely on performance reviews. If you have a rockstar employee, talk about her accomplishments in a very specific way, and in the presence of other leaders at the company, so that others begin viewing that employee as a critical contributor to the organization.
Carmen Casabielle
- Corporate Director of Sales
- Miami, FL
- Years with Imperial Dade: 40
Did you have a mentor early on in your career? If yes, how was that impactful in your career development?
My mentor was the founder of Dade Paper, which became Imperial Dade in 2017. He would always encourage me to learn about all areas of the organization and made sure that I gained experience within all departments. This turned out to be extremely helpful in my career.
Have you ever been “the only” in a business situation? How did that feel?
Yes, I was the only Director of Sales, and the only female on the senior leadership team for many years early on in my career. Our company was smaller then, and eventually I was able to add additional levels of management, which included women, to my team to help me run our fast-growing sales department.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced professionally and what did you learn from that experience?
There have been various challenges that have come my way like September 11 and the Pandemic, but I remember Hurricane Andrew vividly. I saw myself personally in a position where my home was severely damaged and had to relocate with three little children. My professional life was extremely challenging as well as most of my customers had severe damage to their business and had to rebuild. It became a very humbling experience and one that built relationships that are still going strong today. I learned that if you work together on challenges that you are faced with (September 11, Pandemic, Hurricanes., etc.) you can conquer anything that comes your way. I am proud to say that I still have a very strong relationship with all those customers due to the bond that we built during those challenging times.
What advice do you have for women who want to take the next step in their career advancement?
Be loyal and devoted to the organization you work for. Demonstrate your capabilities through your hard work and dedication to the organization. Learn as much as you can so that you can increase your value. Do not fear anything as you can do anything you set yourself to do. Always believe in yourself.
What more can leaders do to support the women in their organization?
Leaders should always view women as equals, just like Imperial Dade has always done. Provide equal opportunities for advancement and success.
Tracy Daniel
- Branch Manager
- Jacksonville, FL
- Years with Imperial Dade: 2 months
Did you have a mentor early on in your career? If yes, how was that impactful in your career development?
My leadership career commenced 35 years ago. At that time, female leaders, for me, were role models more so than mentors. Within the last 15 years, I have had three male and one female mentor. Each of them contributed to different aspects my leadership development. Their impact elevated my financial acumen, enabled me to navigate effectively in male dominated spaces and enhanced my ability to identify micro/macro aggression and biases. Their mentorship also continually challenged my ability to operate past my own perceived potential and to hone my emotional intelligence.
Have you ever been “the only” in a business situation? How did that feel?
For most of my career, I have been “the only” female and/or female of color. More often, it was a situation of being “the only” black female. Initially, it was intimidating and often there were feelings of subtly being discredited and undertones of questioning an idea or decision before it was agreed to have merit. Gender bias was a continuous element that played a big part in how I had to conduct and adjust my managerial styles. As I attained higher levels of advancement, these obstacles intensified. I quickly learned that as a female leader, I had to master balancing my level of assertiveness. I felt, as a black female leader, I had to amass an arsenal of “extra” tools just to the level the male dominated playing field. For example, I must justify and account for every aspect of my decision(s) making process whereas my counterpart’s knowledge and expertise is automatically assumed. As a black female, respect has to be earned, but respect for a white male in the same position is freely given. At times, it became overwhelming because unequal treatment was a common occurrence requiring me, at any given moment, to pivot on a dime.
What was the biggest challenge you have faced professionally and what did you learn from that experience?
There were many challenges over the years. I think my biggest challenge was taking calculated business risks, while mitigating negative impacts. Having the ability to say “this is hard” or “I am not sure” for a black woman in leadership does not afford me the grace or second chances as someone who is not black. If difficulty was expressed, it would be seen as “she can’t handle the pressure” With risk, there is failure or success, both of which I have experienced. With failure, I learned to diagnose gaps to avoid future repetition. With success, I learned to examine and highlight the successful elements to repeat those behaviors. Ultimately, it is the impact of both scenarios that has shaped the trajectory of my success. It has fostered my ability to maintain an extremely resilient spirit.
What advice do you have for women who want to take the next step in their career advancement?
Be your strongest advocate and learn how to market your professional skills and strengths. Try to operate in innovative spaces and recognize your power of being an agent of change. Take advantage of being empowered without fear of taking risks. Of course, weigh options when you take risks, but sometimes you must make your opportunities. Most importantly, invest in yourself and stand confidently in what you know. Seek counsel/mentorship as early as you can in your career. Become part of professional networking groups lead by women and foster an environment of growth. That is a risk you MUST take!
What more can leaders do to support the women in their organization?
Leaders can support the women in their organization by fostering and promoting female leadership mentor circles designed to create a safe space to address concerns, obstacles, successes, and other topics. Make women in leadership programs accessible for those to take advantage of and ensure that there is a diversity, equity and inclusion entity that is promoting awareness and involvement. Finally, speak with women in your organization and ask them directly if they feel heard, supported and are given opportunities for personal development. The best organizations support and value professional development from the
bottom up.
Karen Doochin Vingelen
- Regional Senior Vice President
- Nashville, TN
- Years with Imperial Dade: 25
Did you have a mentor early on in your career? If yes, how was that impactful in your career development?
I had several mentors inside the walls of American Paper & Twine, now part of Imperial Dade, who taught me a lot of what I know today about our industry. Ironically, the three mentors that really helped me outside of the business were men. One was a hired strategic planning consultant who also helped me with my executive leadership skills. The other two are industry icons who have been at this game a lot longer than me. They allowed me to ask dumb questions, stress test ideas, complain, and visit their best-in-class facilities so I could come away with better ideas about how to improve what we do. They both work for competitors now, but I still adore them.
Have you ever been “the only” in a business situation? How did that feel?
This happens all the time in the professional world. I have been “the only” on many occasions – the only non-MBA, the only woman, the only non-CPA, the only person who grew up in the business, etc. It feels challenging but also presents an opportunity to learn. I am thankful for my path and for what makes me different. I am not embarrassed or ashamed of what I don’t have and am proud of what I do have. We all bring something valuable to the table and should celebrate that there is a seat for us at all.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced professionally and what did you learn from that experience?
Many businesses faced massive challenges during the pandemic, but I am going through my own “coming of age” transition right now. Recently acquired by Imperial Dade, AP&T has been on a completely new trajectory over the last two years. Learning to merge the different divisions, assimilate different systems, and maintain the same brand reputation we’ve held for 95 years is something I’m learning to navigate as I go.
What advice do you have for women who want to take the next step in their career advancement?
As someone with a background in social work, I cannot stress this enough: GO TO THERAPY. Most, if not all, of us, have baggage that can prevent us from being the most productive version of ourselves. We cannot get to where we want to be if we haven’t done the work to unpack the heavy things, we carry around every day. We should be constantly striving to grow, evolve, and become the best we can be. That’s how we work our way to the top-personally and professionally.
What more can leaders do to support the women in their organization?
Communicate. Communicate often. Don’t assume. Ask questions instead of making assumptions and be open to answering questions. As a leader, it’s up to you to cultivate a company culture where your team feels safe enough to ask for help and appreciates the learning process as much as the outcome. Create a collaborative space where people not only enjoy working together, but enjoy sharing best practices, advice, and other words of wisdom. We all have something to learn; we just have to be willing to listen.
Caroline Eaton
- Director of Logistics
- Atlanta, GA
- Years with Imperial Dade: 1
Did you have a mentor early on in your career? If yes, how was that impactful in your career development?
I was blessed with two mentors that came at different points early in my career. The first was at the start, right out of college. He was a seasoned trucking professional who was passionate about his career and enjoyed sharing his knowledge. I learned rate construction and audit from the ground up, but more importantly, he was a great example that a passionate teacher is just as important as a knowledgeable leader. Later, I had the pleasure to work with a fellow woman Director. In addition to gaining business knowledge, she fostered a collaborative environment within the transportation department, but more importantly, she supported engagement with other business units: engineering, sales, sourcing, finance, planning, etc. A great learning experience, but more importantly, I learned the influence of transportation across other functions which contributed to the depth of purpose for my career choice.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced professionally and what did you learn from that experience?
I still struggle with not fully voicing my accomplishments. It is important to have individual and team goals – and to properly articulate each. Reminds me I need to continuously improve!
What advice do you have for women who want to take the next step in their career advancement?
If the step you take is not the one you thought it would be, it is never too late to try a different direction. Do not be afraid to go after what you want.
What more can leaders do to support the women in their organization?
Develop team and individual goals for every employee and encourage women to champion each other.
Anita Gogia
- SVP Finance, FP&A
- North Bergen, NJ
- Years with Imperial Dade: 4
Did you have a mentor early on in your career? If yes, how was that impactful in your career development?
Yes, early in my career I had a mentor who was my former boss. She allowed me to talk about some roadblocks, think through how to get the most out of my role, and how to add value to my team. I always feel we should look for mentors, whether official or unofficial, to help guide us and to learn from. Now that I am further along in my career, I always look forward in helping people with understanding their current situation or guiding them to what might be a good next step for them.
Have you ever been “the only” in a business situation? How did that feel?
Yes, after having my first child and returning from maternity leave, I was the only woman with a child on our team. My boss made me feel very isolated, treated me like I was not as dedicated as others because I had to leave on time, even though I came in early, worked through lunch, and took work home. While this was disheartening, I stuck with it and moved on from her and that role, which allowed me to continue my long and successful career at that company before joining Imperial Dade.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced professionally and what did you learn from that experience?
I had a boss who was very impressed with my work-product and analysis skills. Despite this, to help set my career expectations, he said he didn’t think I would ever become a manager in my career since I was a working mother. This always stuck with me throughout my career. It became a motivation for me to prove that it doesn’t matter what situation you are in, if you work hard, bring value to your team and the teams you support, you can be recognized and rewarded for your work, thereby leading to future career success. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t become something because of who you are.
What advice do you have for women who want to take the next step in their career advancement?
Often women, or minorities, don’t speak up regarding things they have achieved or want for their next move. You have to go outside of your comfort zone and be willing to talk about your accomplishments and future career desires. This will help people in leadership positions understand what value you bring and consider you for a different role or a promotion. Staying silent and expecting others to see what you have done or know what you are interested in doesn’t always work. You must take ownership of your career. Even if things don’t happen for you immediately, it will open their eyes to you and help them think of you for a role or project in the future.
Tere Martin
- Branch Manager
- Miami, FL & Cataño, Puerto Rico
- Years with Imperial Dade: 29
Did you have a mentor early on in your career? If yes, how was that impactful in your career development?
Yes, over the years I have had many mentors. One of my mantras is “If you need shade, find the biggest tree and get the shade from that tree.” Obtain knowledge from others, women, and men. My first mentor, a woman, taught me about business, tenacity, hard work, and the importance of longevity. She explained that you must do the work to be recognized and given the opportunity to advance.
Have you ever been “the only” in a business situation? How did that feel?
I’m sure I have, based on the number of years I have been in the industry. However, I have never really thought about it, and it never distracted me from my work. It was never an obstacle. That said, I was fortunate in that regard, and I know that not all women have that same experience.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced professionally and what did you learn from that experience?
Managing through the pandemic. There was no playbook or manual for that situation and nothing like that had even happened in my lifetime. In the early days of the crisis, we tried to be strong for our employees and had to make hard decisions. Health and safety of our staff was critical. There were also tough supply chain decisions that had to be made when critical items were scarce. We had to prioritize our customers. During this time, I learned patience and I made decisions with more humanity than ever before.
What advice do you have for women who want to take the next step in their career advancement?
Don’t hesitate. Seize every opportunity that feels right and trust your instincts.
What more can leaders do to support the women in their organization?
Listen to your employees, communicate with them, and find out what their needs are with regards to their work. You are responsible for getting the best performance out of your team and you need to create an environment where that is possible. Be honest about each of your employee’s career opportunities and help them map out a plan. Keep your door open.
